Just like Vancouver . . . or not

It's raining.

A lot.

It started last night about suppertime and hasn't stopped. Martin needed the van at work today so last night I reminded the kids we'd be walking to school today - regardless of the weather. So this morning we grabbed our umbrellas and headed out - all of us in sneakers or canvas shoes (you'd think we'd know better!!) Before we'd gone half a block we all had wet shoes and socks and Patrick's pants were wet up to his knees.

Made me kinda homesick (sniff).

As we walked along the sidewalk, commenting on the rivers of water flowing towards the spring debris-plugged drains, I warned the kids not to complain at all about the rain in earshot of any Taswegian. I reminded them this may be standard weather for November in Vancouver but in Tasmania it is much-needed and quite welcome by many - especially the farmers. Emily commented one of her teachers had said she would be catching the rainwater in barrels to use for watering her garden, rather than using precious drinking water. Something I'm certain many people do here.

Upon arriving at school we noted most of the older kids hurrying into classrooms, not playing on the playground as usual (no surprise). I said goodbye to Emily as we dropped her off at her classroom and headed to the other side of the school where the younger grades are located. When we came around the corner of the building I saw lots of kids running around in the rain, none with raincoats and Patrick's teacher standing under cover imploring the kids to come in out of the rain.

Come in?? No way! They were having too much fun. They were laughing and chasing each other around, they were playing in the rain! A few of the girls from Patrick's class gathered around us as I was helping the boys fold up their umbrellas. "Good morning Patrick's Mom" said one girl. "Good morning" I replied. "Did you walk?" they asked. I told them in Vancouver it rained a lot like this in November so we were quite used to it. One girl beamed at me and said "I've brought an extra change of clothes so I can go out later and get nice and wet!"
Yes, just like Vancouver . . . but not :)